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Today can report that barely a year after the commissioning of a two-ultra modern Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) centre in some parts of North Tongu constituency in the Volta Region, the projects have become a white elephant.

The two ICT centres, which are located in Mepe and Battor, have facilities including a library and a post office.

Today’s findings revealed that part of the ICT facility at Mepe has been turned into MTN Mobile Money Transfer whilst the other part was being used for criminal activities.

In addition minors were also using the facilities for computer games.

The situation, Today gathered, has incurred the wrath of parents in the two traditional areas, who have asked those in charge of the centres not to allow minors to use the facilities for computer games.

However, in the case of the ICT centre in Battor, Today learnt that since its commissioning last year, the facility’s main door has been kept under lock and key.

What must have been the cause for the non-operational of the two centres, according to residents in the constituency, was the lack of internet service and other office accessories.

The residents who confirmed this in an interview with Today noted that as long as there was no internet service and other office materials for the centres, its intended purpose for which they were set up would be defeated.

The residents, however, wondered why the two centres were not in operation having recounted a promise made by the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Mr. Samuel Okudzeto-Ablakwa, during a durbar to celebrate the 60th Afenorto festival of the chiefs and people of Mepe on Saturday, August 2, 2014 that the two ICT centres would be fully equipped before they commence operation.

Meanwhile, the residents have described the government’s posture towards the projects as “unacceptable.”

It would be recalled that in July 2015, Minister for Communications, Dr. Edward Omane-Boamah, joined chiefs and people of Battor and Mepe to commission two ultra-modern ICT centres in these areas.

The two ICT centres were built by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) through the instrumentality of the deputy Minister in-charge of Tertiary Education, Samuel Okudzeto-Ablawka, to enhance knowledge in ICT of residents in the two communities, particularly the youth.